Strickland was injured in the same shooting that killed Chitimacha Tribal officer Rick Riggenbach, 52, of Morgan City and critically injured deputy Jason Javier.

Police said they suspect the shooter is also responsible for the death of Eddie Lyons, 78, of Charenton.

State Police Troop I Col. Michael Edmonson said Riggenbach and the other two deputies responded to a report about 10:30 a.m. Saturday of a man walking along the road with a gas can and a shotgun.

Riggenbach, Strickland and Javier were shot as they approached the suspect, later identified as Wilbert Thibodeaux, 48, of Charenton. Riggenbach died at the scene; the others were transported to hospitals in New Orleans and Lafayette.

Thibodeaux was apprehended and remains in police custody.

Lyons’ body was found in the wreckage of a trailer fire after the officers were shot, police said. Detectives say Thibodeaux shot Lyons and then set the trailer on fire.

Landry declined to comment on Strickland’s specific injuries, but he said the injured deputies are improving and are expected to recover.

Strickland’s Facebook profile lists him as a resident of Thibodaux and an Army veteran.

His wife did not respond to a request for comment.

“Unfortunately, it is a constant reminder that there is no such thing as routine,” Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre said of the officers’ on-duty injuries. “The danger is ever apparent and real. We have to be constantly aware of that.”

The last time a Lafourche deputy was shot in the line duty was 2007 when Ben Dempster was shot in the chest at point-blank range with a .357 Magnum fired by Albert Dodge.

Dempster was responding to an assault complaint and entered Dodge’s FEMA trailer with a contempt-of-court warrant, police have said.

Dempster was wearing a bullet-proof vest and escaped with his life, but Dodge and his 7-month-old son were killed in the exchange.

Webre said though the department spares no expense on equipment and cuts no corners preparing officers, the reality is each call could be a deputy or officer’s last.

“There is always ambush situations where someone who is bound and determined to take the life of an officer makes it hard to prepare for,” Webre said.

<p>A St. Mary Parish sheriff's deputy from Thibodaux is recovering from critical injuries after a shooting that killed one officer and wounded another, authorities said.</p><p>Matthew Strickland remains hospitalized; officials say his condition is improving.</p><p>Strickland was injured in the same shooting that killed Chitimacha Tribal officer Rick Riggenbach, 52, of Morgan City and critically injured deputy Jason Javier.</p><p>Police said they suspect the shooter is also responsible for the death of Eddie Lyons, 78, of Charenton.</p><p>State Police Troop I Col. Michael Edmonson said Riggenbach and the other two deputies responded to a report about 10:30 a.m. Saturday of a man walking along the road with a gas can and a shotgun.</p><p>Riggenbach, Strickland and Javier were shot as they approached the suspect, later identified as Wilbert Thibodeaux, 48, of Charenton. Riggenbach died at the scene; the others were transported to hospitals in New Orleans and Lafayette. </p><p>Thibodeaux was apprehended and remains in police custody.</p><p>Lyons' body was found in the wreckage of a trailer fire after the officers were shot, police said. Detectives say Thibodeaux shot Lyons and then set the trailer on fire.</p><p>Landry declined to comment on Strickland's specific injuries, but he said the injured deputies are improving and are expected to recover.</p><p>Strickland's Facebook profile lists him as a resident of Thibodaux and an Army veteran.</p><p>His wife did not respond to a request for comment.</p><p>“Unfortunately, it is a constant reminder that there is no such thing as routine,” Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre said of the officers' on-duty injuries. “The danger is ever apparent and real. We have to be constantly aware of that.”</p><p>The last time a Lafourche deputy was shot in the line duty was 2007 when Ben Dempster was shot in the chest at point-blank range with a .357 Magnum fired by Albert Dodge.</p><p>Dempster was responding to an assault complaint and entered Dodge's FEMA trailer with a contempt-of-court warrant, police have said. </p><p>Dempster was wearing a bullet-proof vest and escaped with his life, but Dodge and his 7-month-old son were killed in the exchange.</p><p>Webre said though the department spares no expense on equipment and cuts no corners preparing officers, the reality is each call could be a deputy or officer's last.</p><p>“There is always ambush situations where someone who is bound and determined to take the life of an officer makes it hard to prepare for,” Webre said.</p>